Some years ago, when I was celebrating the 25th anniversary of my ordination to Christian ministry I made a list of ‘25‘lessons in life’ I had learnt. On the 40th anniversary of my ordination I updated them to ‘40 lessons on life’. Now as I contemplate retiring from stipendiary ministry, I thought I would update them to ‘50 lessons in life’.
- Life is a constant adventure
- Life is to be lived passionately
- The best is yet to be
- Mountains are to be climbed
- Life is about growth
- Life is a journey in self-discovery
- Only the self-aware are secure
- God wants us to be real, not cardboard cut-outs
- God wants us to be rainbow people
- Integrity counts for more than success
- Life can be tough
- Wounds can make for healing
- All sunshine makes a desert
- God is there even in the dark
- God knows
- Time brings perspective
- Friends are often God’s agents
- Iron sharpens iron
- God’s love is experienced in unexpected places
- Orthopraxy is more important than orthodoxy
- It’s OK to be angry
- One way to inner freedom is to forgive
- Children are a great education
- A capable wife is more precious than jewels
- Families matter
- Grandchildren are wonderful beyond
- Work hard, but play hard too
- Make any excuse for a party
- Music expresses the soul
- Even extraverts need silence
- Special occasions are all the better for dressing up
- A glass of red wine enhances the day
- Cooking is a serious business
- An open table enriches life
- Seniors need to power-nap
- Travel broadens the mind
- Everybody has feet of clay
- Life is all the better for laughter
- A grateful heart leads to great contentment
- Jesus makes all the difference
- Health is a blessing
- Holidays matter
- A critical mind leads to wisdom
- A positive spirit creates happiness
- Joy is a sign of the Spirit
- There is always more to learn
- God wants us to make a difference
- Retirement is not a goal, but a stage
- Retirement offers new freedoms – hallelujah!
- My future is in God’s hands
I wonder, what would be the lessons you would list?